Door or like construction

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to the building art, comprised generally of a door or window structure embodying a peripheral framework of horizontal and interconnecting vertical rail members, supporting by means of gasket material and suitable supporting structure glazing material. The framework is suitably mounted by hinge means for swingable or slidable movement into and out of the encasing wall opening. The horizontal and vertical rail sections when placed in abutting right angular relationship to one another are rigidly interconnected and precisely aligned with respect to one another by means of a particularly contoured connector member or corner block adapted to receive pin means through apertures in the horizontal rail section, the connector member being threadably or otherwise attached to the vertical rail section through a contoured tension-receiving plate member. In this manner, after assembly of the parts, and securement of one to the other, a crimping or crushing action is exerted upon a tongue or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;T&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; section on the vertical rail, and a structurally sound joint is assured without resort to time-consuming welding techniques or generally equivalent expedients.

[ Nov, 20, 1973 DOOR 0R MIKE CONSTRUCTION John E. Hunt, Norwood, Mass.

[73] Assignee: The Alumiline orporation,

Pawtucket, R1.

[22] Filed: June 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 260,269

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 52/127, 52/501, 49/504, 52/656, 287/189.36 H [51] lint. Cl 1304b 1/58 [58] Field of Search 52/501, 475, 476, 52/656, 657, 397, 127; 49/504; 287/189.36 H

[56] Relierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,607,453 8/1952 Smith 52/476 X 2,972,395 2/1961 Peremi 52/475 X 3,299,596 1/1967 Neal et al. 52/476 3,451,183 6/1969 Lespagnol et al 52/656 3,510,985 5/1970 Smits 52/656 X 3,561,801 2/1971 Chiu 52/475 X 3,574,378 4/1971 Heywood.... 287/l89.36 H 3,592,493 7/1971 Goose 52/656 X Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Att0rneyB. F. Claeboe [5 7 AESTRACT The present invention is directed to the building art, comprised generally of a door or window structure embodying a peripheral framework of horizontal and interconnecting vertical rail members, supporting by means of gasket material and suitable supporting structure glazing material. The framework is suitably mounted by hinge means for swingable or slidable movement into and out of the encasing wall opening. The horizontal and vertical rail sections when placed in abutting right angular relationship to one another are rigidly interconnected and precisely aligned with respect to one another by means of a particularly contoured connector member or corner block adapted to receive pin means through apertures in the horizontal rail section, the connector member being threadably or otherwise attached to the vertical rail section through a contoured tension-receiving plate member. In this manner, after assembly of the parts, and securernent of one to the other, a crimping or crushing action is exerted upon a tongue or T section on the vertical rail, and a structurally sound joint is assured without resort to time-consuming welding techniques or generally equivalent expedients.

10 @lmims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDnuv 20 1975 SHEET 18? 3 FIG. 2

DOOR OR LIKE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art to which this invention pertains to provide a door or window structure made up of horizontal and vertical rail sections welded together or through bolted. A plurality of plates positioned interiorly of the two rail sections have been employed to anchor the sections one to the other by a series of welds. However, under certain operational conditions, the desired degree of right-angular alignment of the two sections was at all times not effected, with the result that the door or window did not slide properly, or in other words, the two sections did not mate with the requisite degree of preciseness with the supporting building structure. A poor fit thus resulted, often causing binding of the parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to door constructions, exemplified by those of the butt hinge, offset and center hung type, embodying a plurality of rigidly interconnected vertical and horizontal rail sections desirably formed of extruded aluminum or alloys thereof. In accordance with this invention, the door or window structure during the assembly thereof, generally at the site of manufacture, incorporates in one of the horizontal rails and normally the bottom one, a precisely contoured connector member or corner block having a threaded opening in the base thereof and an upstanding passage through the yoke or head portion of the block, adapted to receive a pair of pins or like means forcefitted through the spaced legs of the horizontal rail section.

The horizontal and vertical rail sections during the extrusion thereof are provided with integral longitudinally extending generally T shaped protruberances designed to receive in mating relationship therewith an extruded strip or requisite length of glazing gasket material of elastomeric construction. The tongue or T shaped glazing leg on the vertical rail section abuts the base portion of the corner block, and within the channel-like vertical rail section a contoured or arcuatelyshaped plate member is located which is apertured to receive screw means or the like which affixes through an opening in the outer wall of the vertical rail to the horizontal rail.

In this manner, by cooperation of the plate member and corner block or connector member, the compressive force of the nut plate places the completed joint under tension, and a firm interlock is established between the inclined planes on the contoured block and T sections of the vertical rails, relatively rapid selfaligning effected, and further, a structurally sound and tight juncture of the vertical and horizontal rails thereof results from the relatively rapid self-aligning and precise positioning of the parts by the contoured corner block.-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a door construction embodying the novel concepts of this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are vertical cross-sectional views taken substantially along the lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively, of FIG. 1 to more fully illustrate the structural details of the nut plate and corner block in cooperation with the horizontal and vertical rails;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the door structure of this invention during assembly thereof; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view to show the novel parts thereof prior to final positioning in the assembly operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is designated generally by the legend D a door construction embodying the novel concepts of this invention. As is shown, the exemplary center hung door structure comprises a pair of doors l0 and 12 mounted in the manner known to the art upon hinge means (not shown), although it is within the contemplation of this invention that the doors may be slidably mounted rather than swingably secured. The left and the right doors 10 and 12 are of identical construction, and each includes a supporting framework 14 and 16 comprised of horizontal rails 18 and 20 and rigidly interconnected vertical rails or stiles 22 and 24, the former being referred to in the art as hinge stiles and the latter lock stiles. As is also shown, in the illustrative embodiment each door 10 and 12 is provided with a transversely extending center push bar 26, and pull handle means 28, the entirety as thus far described being in swingable relation with threshold means 30.

Referring now also to the other views of the drawings, the vertical rail or stile 22 in particular, and possibly also its transversely spaced and parallely aligned member 24, are generally rectangular when viewed in vertical cross-section and each is extrusion drawn or otherwise formed to provide an end wall 32, apertured as at 34, and integral with spaced side walls 36 and 38 connecting with, as a part of the extrusion process, an inwardly facing end wall 40, passaged as at 42. The inner end wall 40 of the vertical stile 22 carries thereon, preferably shaped during extrusion, a pair of inwardly directed lip sections 44 and 46 of generally tapered configuration intermediate of which is a tongue section 48 of generally T-shaped vertical crosssectional shape.

The wall 40 of the vertical stile 22m 24 through the opening 42 therein, which is horizontally aligned with opening 34 in the end wall 32, is sized to receive therethrough fastening means 50 threadably engaging a contoured connector or corner block member 52 provided with a horizontally located threaded opening 54 in base portion 56 of thecorner block 52. Also receiving the fastening means 50 is an arcuately shaped nut plate 58 passaged as at 60 and designed to exert tension applying forces to the wall 40 of the vertical stile 22 or 24 and transfer the same to the tongue section 48 which is placed under compression by reason of its inclined plane configuration, thereby crimping or crushing the tongue or T-section 48 and assuring a firm interlock between the vertical and horizontal rail in a manner to be more fully described later.

The corner block or connector member 52, which preferably is of extruded aluminum or alloys thereof, has formed integral with its base portion 56 a yoke or head portion 62 vertically passaged as at 64 to receive in firm fitting relation a pair of joint pins 66 and 68 which are driven through apertures 70 and 72 in a generally T-shaped extruded section 74 formed on top wall 76 of the horizontal rail member 20 and an intermediate extruded wall section 78 which transversely extends between depending leg sections 80 and 82.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, there is slidably associated with the vertical rail member 22 or 24 an intermediate sash member 84 of general channel-like configuration when viewed in cross-section as in FIG. 3. The sash member 84 is also of extruded aluminum, and as an integral structure is formed with transversely spaced end walls 86 and 88 and inwardly directed tongue-engaging leg portions 90 and 92, the end wall and leg portion at the juncture thereof being grooved as at 94 and 96 to receive in slidable snug fitting relationship the inwardly disposed lip sections 44 and 46 on the vertical stile members 22 and 24. Also integral with the end wall portions 86 and 88 and generally parallely aligned with and transversely spaced from the leg portions 90 and 92 is a pair of glazing gasket-receiving arm portions 98 and 100 which grippingly engage the sealing gasket 102. As is known to the art, the gasket is formed of neoprene or other suitable elastomeric substance and embraces in air and fluid tight relation glazing material 104, which may be glass, plastic or panel.

The horizontal rail member is generally similarly configured, and as appears in FIG. 4, cooperates with an intermediate sash member 105 extruded of aluminum or suitable alloys thereof and formed to include opposed end wall portions 106 and 108 from which depend inwardly directed leg portions 110 and 112 designed to grippingly engage the tongue section 74 on the horizontal rail member 20. The sash member 105, like the sash member 84, is provided with generally arcuately shaped gasket-receiving pockets or arm portions 114 and 116 for tight fitting contact with gasket means 118. Seated in the gasket means is the glazing material 104.

A preferred method of assembly of the door construction ofthis invention will now be briefly described. With the parts generally positioned as in FIG. 6, the corner block or anchoring connector member 52 is located in slidable relationship with top wall 76, bottom wall 78 and upstanding horizontally spaced side walls 122 and 124 of the horizontal rail member 20. As appears, after the positioning of the block member 52 with respect to the horizontal rail member 20, the vertical passage 64 has driven therein through the apertures 70 and 72 in the horizontal rail member 20 a plurality of the joint pins 66 and 68 to effect a firm securement therebetween. Subsequent thereto, or as a part of the initial assembly operation, the arcuately contoured nut plate 58 is affixed through fastening means 50, as by insertion of wrench means (not shown) through opening 34 in the vertical rail end wall 32 and into the corner block member 52, the nut plate 58 being in bearing re lation to the wall section 40 of the vertical stile 22 or 24, thereby exerting tension upon the nut plate and applying compressive forces to particularly the tongue section 48 which is contoured to have inclined planar surfaces formed thereon. In this manner, a crimping or crushing force is exerted upon the tongue section, a firm interlock is assured, and a structurally sound and tight joint is accomplished, with automatic horizontal and vertical alignment with only one central fastening.

It is believed manifest from the description earlier given that the particular mode of assembly of the intermediate sash members and glazing gaskets need not be further undertaken.

Various modifications in the structures herein disclosed have been described, and these and other changes may of course be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A door construction or the like, comprising a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical rail members of generally channel-like configuration, one of said vertical rail members adjacent at least the bottom thereof having its spaced end walls provided with first and second horizontally aligned openings therethrough, a contoured block member located in one of said horizontal rail members adjacent at least one end thereof, said block member having a horizontally passaged base portion and a vertically passaged head portion, the passage in the base portion being in alignment with the first and second openings in the end walls of said vertical rail member, said horizontal rail member having a pair of vertically spaced parallely aligned wall sections each of which has an opening therein which aligns with the opening in the other wall section, means for rigidly connecting the block member to the horizontal rail member through the vertical passage in the block head portion and through the openings in the wall sections of said rail member, a curved plate member located within the vertical rail member and bearing against one of the end walls thereof, said plate member having a central opening therein which aligns horizontally with the openings in the vertical end wall openings and with the horizontal passage in the block member base portion, and fastening means threadably engageable with the block member through the passage in the base portion thereof and insertable for threadable engagement through the openings in the vertical rail member end walls and the central opening in the curved plate member, said fastening means upon the tightening thereof applying tension forces to the plate member and compressive forces at the juncture of the horizontal and vertical rail members, assuring accurate and precise alignment of the parts and a firm connection therebetween.

2. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the means rigidly interconnecting the block member to the horizontal rail member comprises a plurality of pin means drivably engageable therewith through penetration into and locking fitting contact with the vertical passage in the head portion of the block member and the horizontal rail member wall sections, thereby assuring relative immovability of the block member with respect to the horizontal rail member after assembly.

3. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the head portion of the block member is shaped with inclined surfaces thereon surrounding the horizontal passage in said head portion, and the vertical rail member is formed to include on one end wall thereof spaced inwardly directed tapered lip sections and intermediate thereof a tongue section, said inclined surfaces on the block member head portion exerting upon tightening of the parts a crimping action upon the tongue section to effect a rapid alignment of the horizontal and vertical rail members.

4. A door construction of the character defined in claim 3, wherein the tongue section is generally T- shaped in vertical cross-section, and the arms thereof are engaged in crushing relation with the inclined surfaces of the head portion of the block member by the tensional and compressive forces applied.

5. A door construction of the character defined in claim 4, wherein the vertical rail member receives in slidable tight fitting relationship therewith an intermediate sash section, said sash section being of channellike configuration when viewed in cross-section and having a pair of transversely spaced end walls and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the leg portions being received under the arms of the tongue section on the vertical rail and the end walls and leg portions of said sash section at the juncture being formed with a groove which receives the tapered lip sections on the vertical rail member.

6. A door construction of the character defined in claim 5, wherein the intermediate sash section has integral with its end walls inwardly directed arm portions arcuately shaped gasket-receiving segments for receiving glazing material therein.

7. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the plate member is arcuately shaped and is in stress applying relationship to the side and end walls of the vertical rail member.

8. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the horizontal rail member is formed to include on the top wall thereof spaced inwardly directed lip sections and intermediate thereof a tongue section generally T-shaped in vertical cross-section, and an intermediate sash section received by said horizontal sash member in slidable tight fitting relationship therewith, said sash section being of channel-like configuration when viewed in cross-section and having a pair of transversely spaced end walls and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the leg portions being received under the arms of the tongue section on the hor izontal rail member and the end walls and leg portions of the sash section at their juncture being formed with a groove which receives the lip sections on the horizontal rail.

9. In a door construction which comprises abutting horizontal and vertical rail members of general channel-like configuration, the improvement wherein the horizontal and vertical rail members are each provided with aligned openings therein, said vertical rail member having a generally T-shaped tongue section formed on one wall thereof, a contoured block member located in said horizontal rail member and having openings therein for attachment to said horizontal and vertical rail members, one wall of said block member being shaped with an inclined surface thereon for cooperation with said T-section on said vertical rail member, and a curved plate member in said vertical member and effective when a tightening force is applied to the parts to cause said inclined surface on the block member to crimp the T-section onthe vertical rail member to effect a rapid precise alignment of said horizontal and vertical rail members.

10; In a door construction of the character defined in claim 9, wherein the block member is horizontally and vertically passaged, and a plurality of fastening means are provided to affix said block member to said horizontal and vertical rail members through the passages 

1. A door construction or the like, comprising a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical rail members of generally channel-like configuration, one of said vertical rail members adjacent at least the bottom thereof having its spaced end walls provided with first and second horizontally aligned openings therethrough, a contoured block member located in one of said horizontal rail members adjacent at least one end thereof, said block member having a horizontally passaged base portion and a vertically passaged head portion, the passage in the base portion being in alignment with the first and second openings in the end walls of said vertical rail member, said horizontal rail member having a pair of vertically spaced parallely aligned wall sections each of which has an opening therein which aligns with the opening in the other wall section, means for rigidly connecting the block member to the horizontal rail member through the vertical passage in the block head portion and through the openings in the wall sections of said rail member, a curved plate member located within the vertical rail member and bearing against one of the end walls thereof, said plate member having a central opening therein which aligns horizontally with the openings in the vertical end wall openings and with the horizontal passage in the block member base portion, and fastening means threadably engageable with the block member through the passage in the base portion thereof and insertable for threadable engagement through the openings in the vertical rail member end walls and the central opening in the curved plate member, said fastening means upon the tightening thereof applying tension forces to the plate member and compressive forces at the juncture of the horizontal and vertical rail members, assuring accurate and precise alignment of the parts and a firm connection therebetween.
 2. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the means rigidly interconnecting the block member to the horizontal rail member comprises a plurality of pin means drivably engageable therewith through penetration into and locking fitting contact with the vertical passage in the head portion of the block member and the horizontal rail member wall sections, thereby assuring relative immovability of the block member with respect to the horizontal rail member after assembly.
 3. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the head portion of the block member is shaped with inclined surfaces thereon surrounding the horizontal passage in said head portion, and the vertical rail member is formed to include on one end wall thereof spaced inwardly directed tapered lip sections and intermediate thereof a tongue section, said inclined surfaces on the block member head portion exerting upon tightening of the parts a crimping action upon the tongue section to effect a rapid alignment of the horizontal and vertical rail members.
 4. A door construction of the character defined in claim 3, wherein the tongue section is generally T-shaped in vertical cross-section, and the arms thereof are engaged in crushing relation with the inclined surfaces of the head portion of the block member by the tensional and compressive forces applied.
 5. A door construction of the character defined in claim 4, wherein the vertical rail member receives in slidable tight fitting relationship therewith an intermediate sash section, said sash section being of channel-like configuration when viewed in cross-section and having a pair of transversely spaced end walls and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the leg portions being received under the arms of the tongue section on the vertical rail and the end walls and leg portions Of said sash section at the juncture being formed with a groove which receives the tapered lip sections on the vertical rail member.
 6. A door construction of the character defined in claim 5, wherein the intermediate sash section has integral with its end walls inwardly directed arm portions arcuately shaped gasket-receiving segments for receiving glazing material therein.
 7. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the plate member is arcuately shaped and is in stress applying relationship to the side and end walls of the vertical rail member.
 8. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the horizontal rail member is formed to include on the top wall thereof spaced inwardly directed lip sections and intermediate thereof a tongue section generally T-shaped in vertical cross-section, and an intermediate sash section received by said horizontal sash member in slidable tight fitting relationship therewith, said sash section being of channel-like configuration when viewed in cross-section and having a pair of transversely spaced end walls and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the leg portions being received under the arms of the tongue section on the horizontal rail member and the end walls and leg portions of the sash section at their juncture being formed with a groove which receives the lip sections on the horizontal rail.
 9. In a door construction which comprises abutting horizontal and vertical rail members of general channel-like configuration, the improvement wherein the horizontal and vertical rail members are each provided with aligned openings therein, said vertical rail member having a generally T-shaped tongue section formed on one wall thereof, a contoured block member located in said horizontal rail member and having openings therein for attachment to said horizontal and vertical rail members, one wall of said block member being shaped with an inclined surface thereon for cooperation with said T-section on said vertical rail member, and a curved plate member in said vertical member and effective when a tightening force is applied to the parts to cause said inclined surface on the block member to crimp the T-section on the vertical rail member to effect a rapid precise alignment of said horizontal and vertical rail members.
 10. In a door construction of the character defined in claim 9, wherein the block member is horizontally and vertically passaged, and a plurality of fastening means are provided to affix said block member to said horizontal and vertical rail members through the passages therein. 